Franciscan Sister Helen Ann Brake, 94, died Aug. 9 at St. Francis Convent, Little Falls. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Francis Convent Monday, Aug. 16, at 11 a.m. Friends may call at St. Francis Convent from 9 a.m. until the time of the funeral. Masks are required.
Mass will be livestreamed on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiyFvZ53PAfd1apBC88kEuQ.
Helen Ann was born July 23, 1927, in Ward Springs, Minnesota, the third of 10 children born to Frank and Caroline (Feldewerd) Brake. She attended District 84 Ward Springs elementary school. Through her aunt, Sister Josephine Brake, she became acquainted with the Franciscan Sisters and entered the Franciscan Community on Sept. 1, 1945. On Aug. 12, 1946, she was accepted into the novitiate and was given the name Sister Mary Lucy, returning to her baptismal name in 1967. She made her first profession of vows Aug. 12, 1948, and her final vows Aug. 12, 1951. She was a Franciscan Sister for 75 years.
After receiving a degree in accounting, she served in the business office and as secretary at St. Francis Home in Breckenridge, St. Francis Convent and Crosier Seminary in Onamia. Later she spent 21 years on the staff of the St. Francis Convent Development Office.
She was preceded in death by her parents and siblings: Marie Schmidt, Bernard, Irene Perish, Lawrence, Eleanor Froelich, John, Henry, Clara Rahn and Laura Zenzen. Survivors include her nieces and nephews and her Franciscan Community.
Donations to Franciscan Sisters ministries preferred.